From The Archives: 30 Years Ago In Aviation Week - Thrust-Vectoring Su-37

The cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s August 26, 1996, issue featured the Sukhoi Design Bureau’s Su-37 demonstrator—a prototype development of the Su-27 equipped with thrust vector control. 

The aircraft was gearing up for a planned program of 50 test flights in Russia before its appearance at the Farnborough air show that September, where it wowed spectators with maneuvers including a 360-deg. somersault.

The program ended following a December 2002 crash traced to a structural failure. Although the type never entered production, Sukhoi adapted its design features into other fighters.

Photo by Sergei Pashkovsky

August 26 1996 | Aviation Week

Enjoy unlimited access to the complete Aviation Week Archive, which features over 100 Years of Aviation Week content at your fingertips.

Every issue, every page, every article we have ever published. Your subscription includes full access to the archives, plus current Aviation Week & Space Technology articles (both digital and print packages available).